Frame & Aim: Fashion’s Most Iconic Photographers

Lights, camera, action! We may not have the time machine to travel back in time yet, but luckily for us, the invention of cameras came early enough so we can feast our eyes on a slice of fashion history. In commemoration of Camera Day tomorrow, we pick out five iconic photographers and showcase some of their images that have shaped the fashion world.

1. Barry Lategan

Photo: V Magazine

Barry Lategan is best known for taking Twiggy’s iconic first pictures. Her bold lashes, pixie cut, doe eyes, and androgynous look impeccably captured the beauty trends of the sixties and continue to influence and inspire till this date.

2. Irving Penn

Bee On Lips, New York (1995) Photo: Artsy

Penn’s ‘Bee on Lips’ photograph was shot for a Vogue cosmetic story, and had since become one of the most iconic photographs of his career. It was photographed for an exploration of the phrase “bee-stung lips” as cosmetic surgery was on the rise in the late 90s. The iconic photograph has been recreated many times, particularly on the cover of Interview magazine featuring Lana Del Rey in February 2012.

3. Mario Testino

Kate Moss for Vogue Spain (2012) Photo: Fstoppers

Arguably one of the most influential fashion photographers, Testino’s works have been featured internationally in various fashion magazines such as V Magazine, Vogue and Vanity Fair. In addition, he has also created emblematic images for some of the major brands such as Gucci, Chanel and Versace.

4. Helmut Newton

Yves Saint Laurent first introduced the now infamous tuxedo as part of his 1966 autumn/winter collection; yet, it was Newton who made the suit iconic with his ‘Le Smoking’ portrait. Featuring an androgynous woman with slick hair in a sleek trouser suit against the backdrop of a dusky Parisian alleyway, Newton had created a piece of iconography that will never go out of fashion.

5. Sam Shaw

As the set photographer for Billy Wilder’s The Seven Year Itch film, Shaw was behind the iconic flying skirt image featuring Marilyn Monroe, paving the way for Hollywood’s luxurious trends by creating a legacy that continues to be impersonated on a regular basis.